A member of the United Kingdom’s House of Lords has stated that Zimbabwe’s application to rejoin the Commonwealth would be viewed more favorably if President Emmerson Mnangagwa adheres to the country’s constitutional two-term limit. The remarks were made by Lord David Howell during a parliamentary session addressing the UK’s relationship with the Commonwealth.
During the debate, Lord Howell, who serves as chair of the House of Lords International Relations and Defence Committee, urged the UK government to communicate this position to President Mnangagwa.
“Will he [the government minister] also accept that the right message to get to Mr. Mnangagwa in Zimbabwe is that the prospect of his country rejoining the Commonwealth would be greatly improved if he made it clear that he would stand down after his two terms?” Lord Howell said, addressing the chamber.
The statement introduces the issue of presidential term limits into the ongoing discussions about Zimbabwe’s potential readmission to the 56-nation organization. Zimbabwe’s constitution currently limits a president to two five-year terms. President Mnangagwa is in his second and final term, which is scheduled to conclude in 2028. There have been reports of discussions within Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party about the possibility of amending the constitution to allow him to seek a third term.
Background on Zimbabwe’s Commonwealth Status
Zimbabwe was suspended from the Commonwealth in 2002 following an election and amid concerns from the organization over governance and human rights under then-President Robert Mugabe. The country formally withdrew its membership in 2003.
In 2018, following the transition of power to President Mnangagwa, the Zimbabwean government submitted a formal application to rejoin the group. The readmission process requires a country to demonstrate its commitment to the principles outlined in the Commonwealth Charter, which include democracy, human rights, good governance, and the rule of law.
The process involves an informal assessment by the Commonwealth Secretary-General, followed by consultation with all member states. A final decision on membership requires a consensus among all heads of government.
As part of its assessment, the Commonwealth has sent observer missions to monitor Zimbabwe’s recent elections. The report from the Commonwealth Observer Group on Zimbabwe’s 2023 elections noted that aspects of the electoral process, including the pre-election period, fell short of regional and international standards.
The UK government has previously stated its support for Zimbabwe rejoining the Commonwealth, contingent on the country demonstrating sustained progress on political and economic reforms. Zimbabwe’s application for readmission remains under consideration by the organization.
